Shelling out for all-you-can-eat lobster

There is a long array of desserts, and a big bread station on the third floor. It is always delightful to finish with Swiss Movenpick ice cream.

The third floor has the same high stack of lobsters at a seafood station at the center of the floor.

Only the station is bigger, and decorated with a spectacular starfish-shaped crystal chandelier. The beautiful blue-light lamp is imported from Italy.

According to Claudia Du, marketing director with Pangu 7 Star Hotel Beijing, the restaurant used to seat 150 people on the second floor. Now there are seats for 200 people on the second floor and 100 people on the third floor.

The only drawback is that the fashionable sofas on the second floor have been replaced by more ordinary-looking chairs with leather backs and cushions. Although they are still comfortable to sit in, they look a bit disorderly. The second floor does not look as high-end as it did.

Nonetheless, one or two visits aren't enough to explore all the good foods the eatery has to offer.

The latest finds are the Henan-style braised lamb and Lanzhou-style stretched noodles with beef slices. They even make a delicious jiaozi (dumplings) on the spot, and provide a very good spicy and sour sauce with it. Apparently they have assigned professional chefs for the regional delicacies so that they taste authentic.

It is a good spot to get a hearty meal of delicious foods, both Chinese and Western. The quality is among the best, although the price is also among the highest. Moreover, it is always a place to impress your guest, especially in the evening, when the neighboring Water Cube, the National Aquatic Center, lights up in a beautiful blue.

If you go:

Auspicious Garden 2/F Pangu 7 Star Hotel Beijing, 27 Middle North Fourth Ring Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing.

010-5906-7002.

Average spending per head: 500-600 yuan.

Recommended: Boston Lobster, Grilled Meats, Chinese Regional Soups and Noodles.